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US may demand 'allies' pay 150% for privilege of hosting troops

US may demand 'allies' pay 150% for privilege of hosting troops | 09 March 2019 | Frustrated by its allies' lagging military spending, the Trump administration is reportedly drawing up demands that countries where US troops are stationed pay the full cost – and then some – for the 'privilege'. The White House is drawing up demands that Germany, Japan, South Korea and eventually every other country 'hosting' US troops on its soil pay "cost plus 50" – 150 percent – for their upkeep, including the soldiers' salaries, Bloomberg reports, citing "a dozen" sources in the Trump administration. The Pentagon was asked to gather data on the cost of keeping US troops abroad and countries' contributions toward these expenses, several officials – again, anonymously – told AP on Friday. Countries whose policies "align closely" with the US would get an unspecified discount, according to these sources.